"Then we'll go in your car. You don't mind, do you? I can't face it alone." "That's all right," said Jimmy reassuringly. "I was going to suggest it myself. I'll go and get the old bus cranked up." He was glad to have something to do. Ronny's manner puzzled him. What did he know or suspect? And why had he not voiced his suspicions, if he had them, to the doctor. Presently the two friends were skimming along in Jimmy's car with a cheerful disregard for such things as speed limits. "Jimmy," said Ronny at last, "I suppose you're about the best pal I have--now." "Well," said Jimmy, "what about it?" He spoke gruffly. "There's something I'd like to tell you. Something you ought to know." "About Gerry Wade?" "Yes, about Gerry Wade." Jimmy waited. "Well?" he inquired at last. "I don't know that I ought to," said Ronny. "Why?" "I'm bound by a kind of promise." "Oh! Well then, perhaps you'd better not." There was a silence. "And yet, I'd like--You see, Jimmy, your brains are better than mine." "They could easily be that," said Jimmy unkindly. "No, I can't," said Ronny suddenly. "All right," said Jimmy. "Just as you like." After a long silence, Ronny said: "What's she like?" "Who?" "This girl. Gerry's sister." Jimmy was silent for some minutes, then he said in a voice that had somehow or other altered: "She's all right. In fact--well, she's a corker." "Gerry was very devoted to her, I know. He often spoke of her." "She was very devoted to Gerry. It--it's going to hit her hard." "Yes, a nasty job." They were silent till they reached Deane Priory. Miss Loraine, the maid told them, was in the garden. Unless they wanted to see Mrs. Coker-- Jimmy was eloquent that they did not want to see Mrs. Coker. "Who's Mrs. Coker?" asked Ronny as they went round into the somewhat neglected garden. "The old trout who lives with Loraine." They had stepped out into a paved walk. At the end of it was a girl with two black spaniels. A small girl, very fair, dressed in shabby old tweeds. Not at all the girl that Ronny had expected to see. Not, in fact, Jimmy's usual type. Holding one dog by the collar, she came down the pathway to meet them. "How do you do," she said. "You mustn't mind Elizabeth. She's just had some puppies and she's very suspicious." She had a supremely natural manner and, as she looked up smiling, the faint wild rose flush deepened in her cheeks. Her eyes were a very dark blue--like cornflowers. Suddenly they widened--was it with alarm? As though, already, she guessed. Jimmy hastened to speak. "This is Ronny Devereux, Miss Wade. You must often have heard Gerry speak of him." "Oh! yes." She turned a lovely, warm, welcoming smile on him. "You've both been staying at Chimneys, haven't you? Why didn't you bring Gerry over with you?" "We--er--couldn't," said Ronny, and then stopped. Again Jimmy saw the look of fear flash into her eyes. "Miss Wade," he said, "I'm afraid--I mean, we've got bad news for you."